Above 1200 Sq/FT DFB's Garage

[Mark_17]

Such a classic product, I still think wax looks better than coatings.

I think this weekend I'm going to put a real carnuba wax on my corvette. Its been at least 2 years since I've used it.

 

[kitdoctor]

Over time, I modified those buckets, mainly for aesthetics but also functionality; colour coded gamma seal lids and matching dollies with upsized wheels. The fancy Obsessed Garage decals tied it all together. Don't ask how much time and money I put into that setup, I just closed my eyes in the end.

@D.F.B you know that red, white and blue works with American cars!

Just looking across a few suppliers it seems different coloured bucket dollies aren't easy to find, unless you go with the original Grit Guard via Amazon.

 

[D.F.B]

@D.F.B you know that red, white and blue works with American cars!

Just looking across a few suppliers it seems different coloured bucket dollies aren't easy to find, unless you go with the original Grit Guard via Amazon.

I wanted the original Grit Guard ones, they are made of thicker plastic and have better wheels. Back when I was shopping for them, they weren't available on Amazon.

Story of my life, I see something I want, go out of my way to get the impossible, then a year later they arrive down under.

This touches on another topic of suppliers being too conservative. These bucket dollies are just one example. Why someone doesn't take a punt on offering these Grit Guard bucket dollies in a range of colours, not crappy Chinese-made ones in black, as well as the wheel upgrades. But no, they all play it safe and then wonder why everyone goes to Amazon or importing directly from other countries.

 

[kitdoctor]

Story of my life, I see something I want, go out of my way to get the impossible, then a year later they arrive down under.

Mine too, I have had many similar experiences. We're pioneers!

This touches on another topic of suppliers being too conservative. These bucket dollies are just one example. Why someone doesn't take a punt on offering these Grit Guard bucket dollies in a range of colours, not crappy Chinese-made ones in black, as well as the wheel upgrades. But no, they all play it safe and then wonder why everyone goes to Amazon or importing directly from other countries.

You would think they'd get it. After all, we're shopping at specialised suppliers of detailing products, not at Bunnings.

I have just brought in some nice Japanese KTC plastic trim removal tools, German Hazet tools, Japanese Engineer items etc. Not everyone wants the in-house brands from Repco and Supercheap.

 

[D.F.B]

Mine too, I have had many similar experiences. We're pioneers!

You would they'd get it. After all, we're shopping at specialised suppliers of detailing products, not at Bunnings.

I have just bought in some nice Japanese KTC plastic trim removal tools, German Hazet tools, Japanese Engineer items etc. Not everyone wants the in-house brands from Repco and Supercheap.

Absolutely!

Most of my inspiration comes from what I see on Youtube channels coming out of the USA. This might not be obvious, but that's mainly because the US style of detailing and product preferences is closer to Australian tastes and requirements than those from the UK and Europe. That's mainly due to climatic conditions and method differences.

So I see something being used in a Video today, go looking for it locally, crickets. It then takes months and years for said item to land in Australia, if at all. I can't be the only one who runs up against this. You either wait it out indefinitely, or jump through hoops trying to get shipping to Australia at highly inflated rates.

I know the detailing bubble is a minority, but come on, if your business is to fill a need, you should be keeping on top of what's happening in the biggest detailing market in the world. I also know its hard to follow through with that sort of thing, let alone warehousing it all. But then you have these companies selling 15 different detailing brands with overlapping product lineups. But then they leave segments untapped, ******* away an income source. Or, they sell a cheap Chinese knock off instead.............I want the real thing.

 

[Tactile]

Try importing something yourself in bulk...you will have your answer.

 

[D.F.B]

Try importing something yourself in bulk...you will have your answer.

Speaking with an insider, container shipping costs during and post Covid went through the roof, like 3 to 5 times more expensive on an already 4 or 5 figure prices. This was especially so on products coming from the USA, less so on the high end Korean branded stuff from Carpro and Gyeon. It's also why a $10 USD bottle of Adam's soap ended up being $35 AUD. It's even worse on the larger gallon sized product, Adam's Tire & Rubber Cleaner went from $45 USA to $180 AUD. Or Armour Panel Prep $50 USD to $130 AUD.

Naturally, there is a currency conversion and taxes to contend with, but the rest is freight.

 

[kitdoctor]

So I see something being used in a Video today, go looking for it locally, crickets. It then takes months and years for said item to land in Australia, if at all. I can't be the only one who runs up against this. You either wait it out indefinitely, or jump through hoops trying to get shipping to Australia at highly inflated rates.

I hear ya!

Often I find I need to fill a need for something quickly and, if I can foresee a need for more than one of the items I'm chasing, I'll typically go to a reliable source first, then eventually I'll do the research and consider buying a better, higher quality, extra features, just different etc. second item.

However, again the hoops and hurdles quickly appear.

Case in point was a mechanic's chair. First up, I went to Hare & Forbes, who've recently started carrying some nicer, higher quality ones.

I went with the DMRS-600-BR. It comes in black leather with yellow stitching. You can also get this without the backrest. At the moment these are on special for AUD165 but the normal price is AUD198.



Of course, if you know your mechanics chairs, then Vyper Industrial offer premium products.

Something similar to the H & F chair would be the Robust Steel Max Ez-Lift priced at USD625. I like the foot rest but their doesn't seem to be any tool storage. You can't get this via Amazon Australia.

There is a non-active Vyper Australia Facebook page, not much help there.


The next option would be the Robust Steel Sport priced at USD475 but it has a simple pin adjustment system. There's no foot rest but there is tool storage. You can get this via Amazon Australia for AUD1036.84. There is another option with the footrest and tool storage for a whopping USD930.



Here's a Canadian brand that caught my eye Fast Freddy. Their equivalent would be the Speed Pro Hex Chair that retails at USD484 with the backrest. Don't worry about the brown leather, you can get black leather with yellow stitching. You can also option these up with cup holders, tool holders etc.

Their ordering system did populate for an Australian address, but alas when you hit the button to purchase, it said they don't ship to that address.




Is this going to get worse with deglobalisation, now that we're all seeing sovereign risks and risky supply chains?

 

[D.F.B]

I hear ya!

Often I find I need to fill a need for something quickly and, if I can foresee a need for more than one of the items I'm chasing, I'll typically go to a reliable source first, then eventually I'll do the research and consider buying a better, higher quality, extra features, just different etc. second item.

However, again the hoops and hurdles quickly appear.

Case in point was a mechanic's chair. First up, I went to Hare & Forbes, who've recently started carrying some nicer, higher quality ones.

I went with the DMRS-600-BR. It comes in black leather with yellow stitching. You can also get this without the backrest. At the moment these are on special for AUD165 but the normal price is AUD198.



Of course, if you know your mechanics chairs, then Vyper Industrial offer premium products.

Something similar to the H & F chair would be the Robust Steel Max Ez-Lift priced at USD625. I like the foot rest but their doesn't seem to be any tool storage. You can't get this via Amazon Australia.

There is a non-active Vyper Australia Facebook page, not much help there.


The next option would be the Robust Steel Sport priced at USD475 but it has a simple pin adjustment system. There's no foot rest but there is tool storage. You can get this via Amazon Australia for AUD1036.84. There is another option with the footrest and tool storage for a whopping USD930.



Here's a Canadian brand that caught my eye Fast Freddy. Their equivalent would be the Speed Pro Hex Chair that retails at USD484 with the backrest. Don't worry about the brown leather, you can get black leather with yellow stitching. You can also option these up with cup holders, tool holders etc.

Their ordering system did populate for an Australian address, but alas when you hit the button to purchase, it said they don't ship to that address.




Is this going to get worse with deglobalisation, now that we're all seeing sovereign risks and risky supply chains?

Ha, I was actually going to mention Vyper in my last post.

I've been wanting a Vyper chair for ages......................crickets. I also noticed a non-active social media presence, its been like that for years. One of my detailing suppliers looked into bringing them, but the shipping costs add to an already pricey proposition and basically kills the viability. Who would buy a $2000 stool? Instead, he sells a knock-off from Maxshine.

I'd love a Robust Steel of some sort. The problem is, even the smallest version doesn't adjust low enough for detailing, which means you sit with your back arched forward to reach wheels. That leaves the Low Pro models, but they don't have the functionality of the $100 chair I currently use. I'd hate to fork out such a significant sum of money on something I may not even like, it's not like you can try before you buy.